This paper considers the potential of Virtual Learning Environments in schools focusing on 2 distinct user groups. Firstly, the children and teachers engaged in the learning situation, and secondly, the stakeholders, that is the policy makers and educational authorities. Several VLEs are reviewed identifying high user acceptance and interest. The paper then considers educational policy and appr...

This paper presents the first steps towards a new type of pedagogical agent – a Challenger Teachable Agent, CTA. The overall aim of introducing a CTA is to increase engagement and motivation and challenge students into deeper learning and metacognitive reasoning. The paper discusses desired design features of such an agent on the basis of related work and results from a study where 11-year old ...

This paper explores the potentials of a new type of pedagogical agent – a Challenger Teachable Agent. The aim of such a pedagogical agent is to increase engagement and motivation, and challenge students into deeper learning and metacognitive reasoning. It is based on the successful implementation of the Learning by Teaching approach in Teacheable Agents, and in addition it draws on previous wor...

The Second Instructional Technology in Education Study: Module 2 (SITES M2) is a series of qualitative studies that identify and describe innovative pedagogical practices in 28 participating countries that use technology. The project resulted in 174 case study reports of innovative practice that are currently being analysed. This article describes the goals, research questions, and methodology ...

Advances in information technologies have resulted in the use of pedagogical agents to facilitate learning. Although several studies have been conducted to examine the effects of pedagogical agents on learning, little is known about gender stereotypes of agents and how those stereotypes influence student learning and attitudes. This study investigates if the pedagogical agent’s gender influence...

This article argues that the TENC ePortfolio definition should integrate rhetorical, pedagogical, social, and technical perspectives. The rhetorical perspective is needed to show the learner ́s competences, achievements and history; the pedagogical perspective aims at supporting learner ́s selfreflection, through the definition of competences mastered, review and creation of (new) CDPs, creation ...

While the independent contributions of synchronous and asynchronous interaction in online learning are clear, comparatively less is known about the pedagogical consequences of using both modes in the same environment. In this study, we examine relationships between students’ use of asynchronous discussion forums and synchronous private messages (PM). We find that asynchronous notes contain more...

One problem in science education is that students neither construct in-depth conceptual understanding nor are they able to analyze and apply scientific thinking processes (National Research Council, 1996). A myriad of studies on conceptual change have investigated the nature and process of conceptual change, pedagogical strategies to foster conceptual change and improve higher-level thinking. O...